The Industry Doesn’t Owe You Attention—Here’s How to Earn It
🌟Career Coaching: You don’t need clout to connect in the entertainment industry. You just need to show up differently.
Have you ever waited outside a casting room, sides clutched in your sweaty hand, heart pounding in your chest? You're surrounded by 15 other hopefuls who look vaguely like you, each one rehearsing lines (or praying—it’s never quite clear to me). It's the audition process: a high-pressure performance where you have minutes to prove you're “the one.”
That same “audition mentality” often creeps into how people approach networking in the entertainment industry. They walk into a coffee chat, a mixer or even a DM thread as if it's a make-or-break performance. They launch into project pitches, self-promotion and carefully crafted narratives. They've got a script, and they're ready to dazzle.
But here's the truth: networking isn't about proving your talent or worthiness. It's not a competition. It's about building genuine connections. And real connections don’t stem from a performance; they grow from presence.
One of the hardest lessons my early-career clients have to learn is that no one is obligated to pay attention to them or their projects. In educational settings, instructors are paid to provide feedback, encouragement and guidance. That's their job.
But in the professional world, attention is earned. It's not gained through relentless hustle or hype, but through consistent generosity, genuine curiosity and a focus on providing value to the situation at hand.
Career coach John Tarnoff's advice is simple and powerful: “Always be giving.” This doesn't mean working for free or undervaluing your skills. It means shifting your focus outward. Instead of leading with an “ask”, you lead with your value.
What does this look like in practice? It could be offering thoughtful feedback on a script. Reaching out to a panelist after an event to share what resonated with you. Helping an artist refine their pitch deck or tighten a logline. Or simply expressing sincere gratitude for someone's work, without expecting anything in return.
For example, I had a client who consistently offered to connect people in her network. She is a brilliant matchmaker when it comes to making introductions. She doesn’t expect reciprocity, but her generosity creates a ripple effect. People remember her helpfulness, and when she needs a connection to someone, they naturally agree to help her out. Basically, she’s paying it forward.
It's crucial to remember that “giving” doesn't mean being a doormat. Set boundaries and know your worth. True generosity comes from a place of abundance, not desperation.
Ultimately, the people who build lasting careers in this industry aren't usually the loudest voices. They're the ones actively listening, asking insightful questions, offering support and cultivating trust over time.
That's the shift.
When you stop performing and start showing up with genuine presence—when you prioritize generosity over anxiety—people take notice. Not because you dazzled them with a pitch, but because you created space for an authentic connection to flourish.
You don't need to impress anyone. You simply need to start building the kind of meaningful relationships that truly move careers forward. And with that kind of network, I guarantee your career and your creative projects will thrive.
Ready to shift your networking approach? Start by offering value today. What's one small act of generosity you can extend to someone in your network right now?
I couldn't agree more! I just wrote a whole post about how to add your film's unique selling proposition to the logline to generate interest. Standing out is the secret sauce :)
https://open.substack.com/pub/lsgreenwood/p/loglines-the-screenwriters-most-dreaded?r=502hzj&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
I'm really going to use this in my networking. I tend to talk too much and need to listen more! Thanks so much!